Hole enlarger for nursing nipples



I Feb. 16, 1954 M. R. WETZEL 2,669,644

HOLE ENLARGER FOR NURSING NIPPLES Filed July 10, 1951 r T"; I i V; H}

3 INVENTOR BYMfilLE, M

ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 16, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOLE ENLARGER FOR NURSING NIPPLES Mayo R. Wetzel, Salt Lake City, Utah Application July 10, 1951, Serial No. 235,915

Claims. 1 The following specification relates to improvements in a hole-enlarger for nursing nipples.

When a baby nurses from a bottle by means of a rubber nipple, some attention must be given to the openings provided in the nipple, so that the flow of milk will be suitable for the need of the child at his age. For this reason, nipples are usually provided, when new, with holes of minimum size. This is adequate when the infant is small. However, in the course of a short time, the holes are apt to be too small for the now needed for the infant. This is a source of dissatisfaction on the part of the child and may lead to physical distress. In view of this situation it is frequently necessary to replace the worn nip pie with a new one. However, this may not meet the situation where it is desired to maintain a fiow larger than that for which the nipple was designed originally.

Nipple which have been found unsatisfactory extent required by the growth or increased skill of the infant.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device which may safely be used by the average nurse.

A still further object or my invention is to so design and arrange the improved device that it may be safely left accessible to small children, or careless individuals.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a device which is easy to assemble, cheap in cost, and durable in operation.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from the description of the preferred form of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved device for enlarging holes in nursing nipples, as mounted for operation and Fig. 2 is a side view partly in vertical section showing the several parts of the device.

Briefly stated, the novel device consists in an i electrically heated needle mounted in a base with suificient insulation to permit the base to be readily handled even though the operating needle is sufliciently hot to soften and enlarge the openings of a rubber nipple. The invention includes a protective cover which will prevent inadvertent handling of the needle, and will conserve its heat and, finally, will form a pleasing design which will distract attention from the particular purpose of the device.

The preferred, although not the only form of the invention, consists primarily of a hollow base 3. This is made of porcelain, ceramic or like material which may be given any surface decoration which may appeal to the user. This hollow base is open at the bottom 4 and has 2. lateral opening 5 on one side at the junction with the bottom.

The top 6 of the base has a central boss 1. This is an integral part of the base. Centrally disposed in the boss I is a. vertical opening 8.

An electric heater, denoted generally by the numeral 9, is assembled within the hollow base 3. The electric heater at its uppermost point has a metallic needle [0 which projects through the opening 8, and is exposed for a small distance above the boss I.

The electric heater has an insulated jacket H at its mid-portion, and its bottom has a metallic shell [2 insulated from a central electrode 13.

A pair of insulated conductors l4, N form part of the cable 15. These conductors are connected by soldering or otherwise to the shell 12 and the electrode l3. In this way electric current is delivered for heating the electric heater and the projecting needle in.

The heating device extends for substantially the full length of the hollow base, so that the bottom of the heating device is close to the bottom of the base. The base is closed by means of a cover 16. This preferably takes the form of a flap of adhesive tape.

A mass of insulation I! completely fills the hollow base and is packed closely around the heating device. It is held in position by the flap of the cover I 6 which serves to support it against retraction when the needle is engaged by the rubber nipple. Any other form of insulation whether loose or molded in situ will serve the dua1 purposes of heat insulation and firm support for the heating element.

A cap 18 is provided, also of porcelain or like material. It may take any decorative form, being shown on the drawing as a nesting stork. This cap is hollow, as shown in Fig. 2, so that it loosely surrounds the projected needle ID. lhe cap l8 may rest loosely upon the top *5, and may be held in place frictionally or by other appropriate means.

The advantages of the device thus described 3 will be evident. It consists essentially in an electric heater held firmly within a mass of insulation in an appropriate base. The electric current led to the heater will heat the projecting needle 10 to such a degree that it will melt through a sheet of rubber.

a As long as the cap is in place, the needle may be hot without danger of causing damage. By removing the pap and pressinga rubber nipple down upon the top tithe needle l'fl'may be caused to pass through an opening of the nipple. The hot needle will melt the rubber. or plastic immeldiately around the opening causi ng the latter as be enlarged to the desired degree} By removing the nipple from theneedle, other fopenings may then be enlarged in succession. Thus the nipple may-be altered to theextnt which makes the liquid flow more readily and the nipple thus availablefor further use.

'Ihe aboye lescription and illustration apply red forrhof the invention which has v ted py way of exa'm 1e on1y; Numinor change's in structural details, ma terials and proportions, are possible without Hg i e i tending from a point contiguous to the bottom upwardly away from the bottom;- aneedle Qh the heater unit projecting up ardly through I base around the heater unit;

7, A -mlplemerit'of; the class described liavin a"; hollow self-supportedbase with a reb'l bottom aj'central ly'apertured topfortl'ie bas an electric heater unit'within the base extanning from a point contiguous to the bottom dly away from the bottom; ,a' '1ieedle on the r unitflpr'ojecting upwardly through the thetopfan' insulating packing withth base around the heater unit and a removacre-cab n} the top of the'ba'se.

topandan insulating pack 4 3. A portable implement of the class described having a hollow self-supported base with a removable bottom, a centrally apertured boss in the top of the base, an electric heater unit within the base extending from a point contiguous to the bottom upwardly away from the bottom, a needle on the heater unit projecting upwardly through the aperture in the boss, a cap loosely surrounding the boss and an insulating packing within thebasea'roun'd the heater unit.

4. A portable implement of the class described having a hollow self-supported base with an opening in the bottom, a centrally apertured boss in the" top' of the base, an electric heater withinthebase extending from a point contiguoils to the bottom upwardly therefrom for the full height of the base, a needle on the heater unit projecting upwardly through the aperture the boss, electric conductors passing through theside of the base and a flap over the bottom openingz H H,

, 5. portable imp lement of the class described having a hollow self supported" base, a centrally aperture d"bosjs in the top of the base, an electric' heater unit within thebase extending from a point contiguous to the bottom upwardly therefrom and resting against the top, aneedle' on the heater unit projecting upwardly throughthe aperture" in the boss; electric conductors passing through the side: or the base', and a; packing of heat-insulating ma erial within' the base sup porting the'heater unit against downward move"- ment; l, V

MAYO' R; WETZELI' References? Cited t file or this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS 

